North Charlotte Today

In a unique and groundbreaking collaboration, Charlotte Water, Town Brewing Company, and Xylem have come together to create Renew Brew, a limited edition pale ale made from recycled water. This innovative project marks the first of its kind in the Carolinas and has sparked conversations about sustainability and the value of water in the community.

The idea for Renew Brew was initially proposed by Jeremy Selan of Charlotte Beer Collective, with Brandon Stirewalt, Director of Operations at Town Brewing Company, recalling, "They were looking for sustainable projects within beer." Jennifer Frost, Public Affairs Manager at Charlotte Water, highlighted the significance of the project, stating, "For me personally, what makes this project so exciting is really the fact that it’s about beer."

Explaining the process of using recycled water, Frost emphasized, "All water is recycled, right? The normal process is that water comes to us from the Catawba River." Nicole Pennington, Strategic Accounts Manager at Xylem, praised the high-quality standards of the water treatment process, stating, "By the time it was finished, it met and exceeded all those requirements. It was a really high-quality water product."

Brandon Stirewalt described the recycled water provided to the brewery as a "blank canvas," allowing them to create an award-winning beer that won Best in Show at the Queen City Brewers Festival. Stirewalt emphasized the brewery's commitment to sustainability, saying, "Sustainability has always been a focus of ours."

The collaboration not only showcases the innovative use of recycled water but also underscores the commitment of Charlotte to environmental sustainability and community engagement. Jennifer Frost emphasized, "The whole project is about sparking conversation." Nicole Pennington commended Charlotte Water for their stewardship in the project, stating, "We need their participation, and they’ve been an incredible steward of all of this."

Brandon Stirewalt expressed pride in Charlotte's proactive approach to sustainability, stating, "Charlotte is taking the initiative to really be ahead of the curve." He hopes that Renew Brew can serve as a model for other municipalities across the country to adopt similar sustainability projects.

The partnership between Charlotte Water, Town Brewing Company, and Xylem exemplifies a shared vision for a sustainable future and highlights the role of community involvement in driving environmental initiatives. Jennifer Frost concluded, "There are a lot of sustainability projects at the city that people don’t hear about. This is a project where the public actually gets to be actively involved."

As Renew Brew prepares for a wider release in the future, Charlotte residents eagerly anticipate the opportunity to be part of this sustainable and innovative project that embodies the city's commitment to a greener tomorrow.